Watching the World from the Bright Side [OPEN]

[timecapture]

WHO: Max Caulfield and you!
WHERE: Mostly Heropa, but if you want to run into Max elsewhere, feel free!
WHEN: The weekend of February 6-7.
WHAT: Max, fresh off her kidnapping, slowly attempts to setting back into her life.
WARNINGS: None for now.


Photography Studio: [The camera went off, Max smiling at the family who'd come in. This group had been particularly well-behaved, and Max rewarded the kids with an extra piece of candy as they excitedly crowded around the screen, eager to see their pictures. Everyone had been so nice to her since she'd come back - and even though most of the populace didn't know the details, her bosses at work had been especially understanding. She was really starting to like it here, especially considering how the studio was beginning to branch out.

After waving a happy goodbye to the group, Max turned her attention to the appointment log.]

Let's see. Who's next...?

Heropa: [Max sighed as she walked around the city, trying to get her mind off of everything that had happened. Sure, she was back in the city, but she couldn't help but be scared. She was certain that it wasn't over just yet - there was no way the Russians would just leave it at that. Something was definitely in the air... but what?

Or maybe it's just me. Max sat down on a park bench to sort through the day's photos thus far, lost in thought.]

Wild Card: [Anything else? Go for it!]

Comments

heropa, the 7th

[fayzedandconfused]

[ This is the second teenager Brianna has randomly sat next to on a park bench, but at least this time she's not wearing clothes that look like they came out of a dumpster, or worse. In fact, if Max notices, the outfit she's wearing is a lot like Chloe's—a white tank top with a dark, unzipped jacket, jeans, and boots. Even a beanie. ]

Hey.

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[Wow, it's almost like mini-Chloe. Max smiles shyly at the girl as she tucks her photo album away.]

Hi.

[fayzedandconfused]

[ That's because Chloe was with her when she got the clothes. The pinnacle of style, right here. ]

What's up?

[ Brianna looks at her more closely, trying to spy an imPort tattoo. ]

[timecapture]

Not much. Just relaxing.

[Annnnnd yes, that is an ImPort tattoo.]

Um, how are you?

[fayzedandconfused]

I'm okay, I guess. Are you new? I am. [ Well, she's not shy, at least. She even reaches over to tap Max's tattoo. ] It would've been cool if they gave us different designs, don't you think? Maybe different fonts, or like a border...

[timecapture]

I've been here for a few months.

[Wait, why is this kid in her personal space?]

I dunno. I don't really notice it.

[And it's also semi-covered by her wristbands.]

I'm Max, by the way.

[fayzedandconfused]

I'm Breeze.

[ She pulls her hand back and moves to sit on the top of the bench. ]

studio, the 6th

[dicktate]

[ Unfortunately for Max, who's next is someone significantly less well behaved, but someone who definitely wouldn't turn down a free piece of candy if it were offered to him, and hand fed to him.

Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Jinseok is the next in her appointment log.

He helpfully sticks up his hand, even as she checks her book. ]

Oppa is here to brighten your day.

[timecapture]

[Oh, no. Max is already dreading Jinseok's arrival. Why, oh, why did she have to publicly advertise for the studio she was working for? And even worse, she can't just hide in the break room; she's the only photographer here.

Oh, well. She might as well get this over with. Max doesn't bother to hide the sigh that pops out as she tucks away the appointment book, forcing a smile on her face for the sake of professionalism (because losing her job would be bad).]

Hello, Jinseok. This way.

[Yeah, so not making small talk.]

[dicktate]

[ A reaction that Jinseok is sadly more than used to, but doesn't care about in the slightest. The chase is always way more fun than straight up winning. He'll bring her around yet, mark his words!

He isn't about to let Max off without the smalltalk though, and skitters over to walk directly beside her. ]

You look especially beautiful today. Who gave you permission to be so pretty?

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My girlfriend.

[Yeah. Even if there was a snowball's chance in hell that she was interested in his advances (which she most certainly isn't), there's even less of one now.]

[dicktate]

[ A shame, but that has never deterred him before; not her preferences, and not her relationship status. Hell, his boyfriend is waiting for him at home right now. He doesn't even miss a step. ]

Is she as pretty as you? You should bring her to meet me some time.

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[That's it.]

That's not gonna happen. I'm not interested in you in the slightest.

[And if she weren't on the clock, she'd tell him why: the vanity, the self-centered attitude, how mean he is to people who don't meet his beauty standards - not to mention his utter inability to take "No" for an answer.]

I'm here to take your picture. That's it.

Heropa!

[biteouttagrimes]

[ Rick is on his way to pick up some fast food lunch for him and Carl. It isn't healthy, but he figures Carl should indulge in greasy, high-fat foods now that he's back home after having not eaten much throughout the duration of the kidnapping. It's a nice surprise to see Max out and about -- though he has to wonder why the poor girl always seems to be by herself whenever he runs into her. ]

Max. Hey. Glad to see you out. How're you doin'?

[timecapture]

Rick!

[Instantly, Max brightens. She feels guilty for not having kept in touch, but she's glad he's here, now.]

I'm... doing okay. Recovering.

[And studying the hell out of Russian - and yes, abusing her rewind powers to do it. It's a hell of a lot easier to do, now that she doesn't have to worry about causing a disaster.]

[biteouttagrimes]

It ain't easy -- comin' offa what you jus' came offa. But you'll get better in time. Jus' gettin' out an' enjoyin' the outdoors oughta help a whole lot.

[ He tucks his thumb in his pocket, giving a glance toward their surroundings. At least Rick knows he usually feels better outside in the fresh air. ]

[timecapture]

I sure hope so.

[She's having trouble sleeping at night, and she can't shake the feeling that something even worse is coming.]

How's Carl doing?

[biteouttagrimes]

He's holdin' up as best as he can. Ain't the worst situation he's been in. But I've been doin' my best to keep him calm an' relaxed.

[ Rick tilts his head at her. ]

You need to talk about anything? Sometimes it jus' helps gettin' it off your chest.

[timecapture]

That sounds... awful. I can't imagine what you've been through.

[Max hesitates. She knows she needs to talk about it, but she really doesn't want to cause trouble for anybody.]

Heropa

[monster_san]

[Fuu is also feeling rather pensive these days. The end of the Cold War is a recent event for her--only four years since the footage of citizens pulling down the Berlin Wall. The implications of that in Japan are still being sorted out. But she's pretty sure that nobody would want it to be extended for twenty three years.

Much less to actually erupt into open warfare. And Fuu thought that what she went through in Cephiro was bad.

But she brightens a little when she spots Max Caulfield--Fuu didn't get a chance to say hello during or after the rescue, so she changes direction.]

Hello, Miss Max! Do you mind if I join you?

[timecapture]

Oh! Hello, Fuu. I don't mind.

[Max looks up, still sorting her photos into her scrapbook.]

I haven't spoken to you in awhile. How are you doing?

[monster_san]

I've been all right. I'm starting to feel like I'm catching up to the twenty-first century.

[She looks over Max's shoulder as she sits down.]

How have you been?

[She says it lightly, not wanting Max to feel pressured into talking about Antarctica--though Fuu is concerned about it--if she doesn't feel like talking about it to someone she just met recently.]

[timecapture]

Having fun?

[She can't imagine what it would be like, having to catch up on a whole thirty or so years.]

Oh, you know. I'm just trying to get back to normal.

[But there's no way that's going to happen.]

[monster_san]

It's certainly an enlightening experience, though I'm not sure I would have volunteered for it, given the choice. The video games alone are astounding.

[when she left Earth, just having sixteen-bit colors was a big deal.]

Normal--ah, yes. I've heard it's an elusive state.

[timecapture]

Yeah, I wouldn't have volunteered for it, either.

[Aaaaaaand it's time to geek out! She can get on board with that.]

I haven't been able to try very much over here, yet. [Lately, she's been too busy learning Russian.] WHat are they like?

[She misses WoW.]